Storm spotters deployed around metro to assist National Weather Service during Tuesday storms

Storm spotters deployed around metro to assist National Weather Service during Tuesday storms

Heartland React works with the NWS and Douglas County Emergency Management

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Updated: 9:30 PM CDT May 1, 2018

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WEBVTT REPORTER: GUYS, HEARTLAND REACT DEPLOYED 23 MEMBERS AROUND THE AREA TO SPOT STORMS TODAY, FOU OF THEM SENT HERE TO ELKHORN, MONITORING WEATHER AS IT ROLLED INTO THE METRO. LOOKING OUT OVER OMINOUS SKIES IN ELKHORN, TEAMS FROM HEARTLAND REACT ARE SPOTTING STORMS AND WORKING TO KEEP YOU SAFE. >> ANYTHING THAT WE CAN REPORT BACK TO THE NEWS, SO IT'S NOT JUST TORNADOES WE’RE LOOKING FOR. WE’RE LOOKING FOR STRONG SEVER WIND GUSTS, HAIL. REPORTER: PLENTY OF WIND IN WEST OMAHA TUESDAY. SOME LIGHTNING AND RAIN, TOO. >> IVE ALWAYS BEEN A BIG WEATHER ENTHUSIAST. REPORTER: IT’S STORMS LIKE THIS THAT GOT SARA ROSE AHONEN INVOLVED WITH HEARTLAND REACT. VOLUNTEERS WITH THE ORGANZIATION DEPLOYED TO HELP THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE, AND DOUGLAS COUNTY TRACK INCOMING STORMS. >> HAVING THE BOOTS ON THE GROUND FOR THESE SEVER WEATHER -- FOR THESE SEVERE WEATHER SITUATIONS, TO HAVE THE EYES ON THE SKIES WHERE THE RADAR CANT ALWAYS DO. REPORTER: THE TEAMS SEND WHAT THEY SEE TO THE NWS. AHONEN SAYS THEIR REPORTS OFTEN TRIGGER THOSE EMERGENCY SIRENS YOU HEAR DURING SEVERE WEATHER. IN THE CALM AFTER THE STORM, THESE TEAMS SIGN OFF. >> IT’S ALL CLEAR. WE HAVE A BEAUTIFUL SUNSET, CLOUDS TO THE NORTH AND SOUTH. REPORTER: READY FOR THE NEXT SPRING STORM MOTHER NATURE WILL SERVE UP. >> THIS WAS OUR FIRST REAL DEPLOYMENT OF THE YEAR, SO WE ALWAYS GET EXCITED. IT’S A REALLY GREAT CHANCE TO TRAIN TOGETHER AD COMMUNICAT -- TRAIN TOGETHER AND COMMUNICATE BETTER. REPORTER: HEARTLAND REACT IS ALWAYS LOOKING FOR OTHER WEATHER ENTHUSIASTS TO JOIN THE TEAM. YOU CAN GET MORE INFORMATION ON THEIR WEBSITE. WE HAVE A LINK IN THIS ARTICLE AT KET

Storm spotters deployed around metro to assist National Weather Service during Tuesday storms

Heartland React works with the NWS and Douglas County Emergency Management

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“Anything that we can report back to the NWS, so it’s not just tornadoes,” Sara Rose Ahonen, with Heartland React said, “We’re looking for strong, severe wind gusts, hail.”

In total 23 members of Heartland React deployed ahead of Tuesday’s storms. Ahonen said the information their teams provide often triggers emergency sirens heard during severe weather.

“Having the boots on the ground for these severe weather situations, to have eyes on the skies, where the radar can’t always do,” Ahonen explained.

Heartland React is a non-profit organization and Ahonen said it is always looking for new members to join the team and accepts donations. If you would like additional information, visit https://www.heartlandreact.com/.